Dover-area traffic stop leads to Newark drug bust

Friday

Feb 28, 2014 at 12:49 PM

Delaware State Police have arrested four persons and are looking for a fifth after a series of drug arrests.

Staff reports

Delaware State Police who pulled over a speeding car on Delaware Route 1 not only seized drugs and paraphernalia, but were able to make additional arrests and confiscate more drugs from a home in Newark.

The investigation began with the traffic stop, shortly before 3 p.m. on Feb. 26 on Route 1 southbound, north of the Scarborough Road exit, said division spokesman Cpl. John Day.

A search of the vehicle turned up a bag containing 454 grams of marijuana and a digital scale, Day said. The driver, identified as Marques Purnell, 30, of Newark, and the passenger, Jermaine Durrant, 28, of New York City, were taken into custody.

Hours later, detectives from Newark’s Troop 2 Drug Unit executed a search warrant at Purnell’s residence on Greenridge Road, Newark. As they approached they observed a 1996 Nissan Maxima leaving the house; troopers tried to stop the vehicle but it fled at a high speed. The car pulled into a parking lot and the driver fled on foot. Troopers did not catch the driver, but were able to identify him as Horace Johnson, 20, a resident of the Greenridge Road house.

After occupants of the Greenridge Road home refused to answer the door, detectives made a forced entry and located Kevon Walters, 23, of the Bronx, N.Y., Amanda Haden, 20, of Wilmington and another female. A search recovered approximately 11 pounds of marijuana, 56 bags (1.4 grams) of heroin, a sawed-off shotgun, cash, and drug paraphernalia.

Purnell and Durrant were charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance possession of a controlled substance in a tier 1 quantity, conspiracy second degree, conspiracy third degree and possession of drug paraphernalia. Purnell also was charged with two traffic offenses.

They were later released on $16,301 and $16,200 unsecured bail.

Walters was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance in a tier 1 quantity, and conspiracy second degree. He was jailed at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institute, Wilmington, after failing to pay a $15,000 secured bail.

Haden was charged with possession of a controlled substance in a tier 1 quantity conspiracy second degree. She was jailed at the Baylor Women's Correctional Institution, New Castle, on a $4,000 secured bond.

Detectives have obtained a warrant for Johnson’s arrest on drug and weapons charges.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call the Troop 2 Drug Unit at (302) 834-2630, ext. 304. Tips also maybe left by using the DSP Mobile Crime Tip app, available for download at www.Delaware.gov/apps.

Information also may be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333, via the Internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”